Laws of Chanukah
1. The name Chanukah is an acronym for the Hebrew word Chanu Kaf Heh ("they rested on the 25th") and the letters KAF and Hei combined have the numerical value of 25. This refers to the Jews' victory over their enemies. The name Chanukah also means "dedicated". During those days, the Holy Temple and Altar were rededicated and purified from the defilement caused by the Greeks.
2. Chanukah is a Holiday of praise and thanksgiving to G-d. The paragraph of Al HaNissim is added in the shemona esrei during the blessing of modim, and in birchas hamazon during the blessing of nodeh lechah. When reciting this prayer we praise G-d and give thanks to Him for the Jews' deliverance from the Greeks' decrees.
(Shaarei Halachah)
A Torah Thought for Today
The Sefer Pardes Hagadol says that we say the complete Hallel on Chanukah because a light is added each day. The complete Hallel contains the words, "HaShem is G-d, He illuminated for us" (Tehillim 118:27). This is a reference to Chanukah, the Holiday when HaShem shines His Heavenly light on the Jewish people. It is therefore appropriate to say these words on Chanukah.
(The Essence of Chanukah by Rabbi Dovid Meisels)
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